Re: Hibernating Dinosaurs?

[David Marjanovic <david.marjanovic@gmx.at>]

> > They do hibernate well. You can put any
> > poikilothermic animal in the fridge
> > without harming it.
>
> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> That's only true up to a point. Furthermore, that's
> not true hibernation (or brumation, since they're
> reptiles).

Of course -- but the effects on growth cessation and on the ability to sleep 
through the end of the world are the same.

> Temperate reptiles can handle this type of
> treatment far better than tropical reptiles. In fact,
> doing this is probably a good way to kill a tropical
> herp.

I guess it's good I've never had one as a pet... :-}

How does it work? How can low temperatures (above the freezing point, of 
course) kill a poikilotherm?